Toy spelling-chart.



R. F. MILNE.

TOY SPELLING CHART.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-20.1915- wwm,

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R. F. MILNE.

TOY SPELLING CHART.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1915.

nnw 1 9 1 Ru 2 L p A d 0U b m M P 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ROBERT F. MILNE, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

TOY SPELLING-CI-IAR'I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

Application filed November 20, 1915. Serial No. 62,501.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT F. IVIILNE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Evanston, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Spelling-Charts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of toy devices designed for use in the teaching of spelling to children, and has for its object the production of a device of this character which will be of durable and economical construction, one which will afford considerable amusement to a child in using the same, and one which will be effective in the teaching of spelling to the user of the device.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the device, and Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken on lines mm and yy respectively of Fig.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a flat rectangular body 1 formed of a heavy durable material such as pasteboard or car board. Formed centrally in the body 1 is a line of spaced circular exposure openings 2, 2, 2 and 2". Also formed in the body 1 adjacent the upper edge thereof are slots 3 which afford means whereby the device may be suspended from suitable supporting devices 4.

Arranged upon the rearward side of body 1, just above the exposure openings 2, 2, 2" and 2", are bearing brackets 5 formed preferably of sheet metal, said bearing brackets being secured to said body by means of ears 6 punched from said brackets and which are forced through said body and clenched as shown, in order to securely lock said brackets thereto. Mounted in the brackets 5 are spring actuated rollers 7 of the same type as the conventional window shade roller, said rollers being adapted to normally wind up the curtains 8 carried thereby, each roller being, however, provided with the usual detent whereby any one of said curtains may be stopped at any place desired, just as the ordinary shade roller may be stopped at any point desired. Provided upon the front side of each of said curtains 8 is a plurality of characters adapted for exposure at the opemngs 2, 2, 2 and 2. The curtains cooperating with the openings 2, 2, and 2 are each preferably provided with a complete alphabet of letters whereas the curtam cooperating with the opening 2 is preferably provided with all numerals up to 26, consecutively arranged. VVith' this arrangement it will be seen that provision is made whereby any word having not more than three letters may be spelt upon the chart by adjustment of the curtains to secure the exposure of the proper letters at the exposure openings. This will, of course, result in the familiarizing of the child with the letters of the alphabet, considerable amusement being at the same time afforded in the adjustment of the curtains. The numbers upon the curtain cooperating with the exposure opening 2 will have the effect of familiarizing the child at the same time with figures. It is of course understood that the chart may be as long as desired and that as many curtains may be used as may be desired. I

The lower ends of the curtains 8 project through slots 9 provided in the body 1 adjacent the lower edge thereof and the lower ends of said curtains are provided with finger pieces 10 for facilitating adjustment of the same. Said finger pieces are of greater width than the slots 9 so that the former will serve as stops adapted for engagement against the front side of the body 1 to limit upward movement of the lower ends of said curtains and facilitate ready engagement therewith. The front side of the body 1 will be covered by a covering sheet 11 having appropriate designs and fanciful decorations.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth,

but desire to avail myself of such variations exposure at said Copiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

I Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l; A device of the class described comprising a body having a plurality of spaced openings therein; bearing brackets mounted on said body above said openings; and 'a plurality of spring actuated rollers mounted in said brackets and having curtains mounted thereon carrying characters for openings, substantially as described. v

2. A device of theoclass described comprising a body having aplurality of spaced exposure openings therein; a plurality of longitudinally 'movable curtains arranged at the rearward side of said body having characters thereon for exposure at said exposure openings; spring actuated rollers on Which said curtains are Wrapped; and a plurality, of spaced slots in said body through which the outer ends of said ourlongitudinally movable tains loosely pass, scribed.

3. A device of the class described comprising a body having a plurality of spaced exposure openings therein; a plurality of curtains arranged at the rearward side of said body having characters thereon for exposure at said exposure openings; spring actuated rollers on which said curtains are wrapped; a plurality of spaced slots in said body through which the outer ends of said curtains loosely pass; and finger pieces on said ends of said curtains incapable of passage through said slots and adapted to engage against the front side of said body, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ROBERT F. MILNE.

Witnesses J OSHUA R. H. Po'r'rs, HELEN F. LILLIS.

substantially as de- Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

